Wedding Flowers: Silk Wedding Flowers vs. Fresh?

I'm not sure whether to use real or silk flowers for my wedding. Can you give me an idea of the benefits of using silk wedding flowers?

A:

Whether you chose silk or real wedding flowers, you should weigh your options and make your choice based on your budget and what type of wedding you are having. Silk wedding flowers do have the advantage of not wilting, which is something to consider if you are having a warm-weather wedding or if you are partial to very delicate flowers that tend to droop quickly. Likewise, they won't freeze in cold weather. Silk wedding flowers are very lightweight, making bouquets much easier to handle and to transport. They don't need watering and are much more durable (no worrying about delicate blooms falling apart, sagging, or being stomped on by your flower girl!). And, silk flowers can be scented to smell like the real thing, without the drawback causing sneezing! Another plus -- a silk bridal bouquet will retain it's beauty and look just as gorgeous on your 25th anniversary as it did on your wedding day.

But keep in mind that while silk wedding flowers can be more practical than real flowers, they can also be just as expensive, if not more so. Though you also won't end up paying more for certain types of flowers that may be out of season when you get married -- silk, in every shape and color is always in season -- a silk version of a more common flower will likely be significantly more costly. Remember to ask for pricing up front. All of that said, everyone agrees that fresh wedding flowers are breathtaking, and even the best silk flowers can't replace the look of a live orchid or the scent of a real rose.